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RMT general secretary Mick Cash said members would be asked about going on strike if pay talks didn’t go in their favour later this month.

The union said EMT staff should have had a pay rise in April, but it has been delayed after the union branded a 2.7 per cent rise for the year as “totally inadequate” and “well below the industry average”.

It also said there were “strings attached” to the offer which was below the RPI rate of inflation at 3.6 per cent, which it said was used to decide fair increases.

It said the business made £31 million in its last financial year, with £10 million going to shareholders.

It also said the highest paid company director had seen their earnings rise 41.5 per cent over five years to £290,000.

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“To this end RMT has begun preparations for a ballot for both strike action and action short of a strike if we are forced to go into dispute with the company after September 19 when pay talks will resume.

“The ball is now in East Midlands Trains court and they can settle this matter in the next round of talks by coming forwards with a fresh offer that recognises the hard work of their staff and which protects and enhances their standard of living.”

An East Midlands Trains spokesperson said: "Positive talks have taken place with local union reps and we have made a reasonable and fair pay offer.

“We will continue to listen as the planned talks progress with the RMT.”